An interesting new hitch not discussed after the NHL decided to make goalie pants smaller was the potential risk of injury. Smaller equipment created newly exposed areas without padding. Montreal Canadiens goaltenders Carey Price and Al Montoya both know the emerging issue a bit too well.
Eric Engels of Sportsnet.ca reports Price and Montoya chatted about sending pictures of bruises they’ve received to the league as a result of the equipment change.
Carey Price + Al Montoya were chatting about how they should send pics to the NHL of bruises they've gotten since having to wear new pants.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) February 20, 2017
Montoya+Price were talking to each other about new pants. They weren't complaining, they were talking about reality of being less protected
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) February 20, 2017
Price was hit on the inside of his thigh, where there was little to no protection.
Price got pegged on the inside of his thigh, where he showed there is zero protection. Not much on the outside, either.
— Eric Engels (@EricEngels) February 20, 2017
The chorus of criticism stemming from the NHL’s decision to make goalie pants smaller was already an issue for the league. Price and Montoya’s discussion brings up a further argument against the change. If the pants don’t sufficiently guard goaltenders against pucks, it’s a massive issue. Furthermore, unleashing the change mid-season and letting goalies adjust to the differences on the fly was a poor decision, which is further illustrated by this safety issue.
A goaltender’s equipment is undeniably too bulky. However, taking away necessary padding in areas that are susceptible to being hit was a poor decision. Price and Montoya, joking or not, should take pictures of their bruises due to the new pants. It’s a great way to show that while attempting to decrease equipment, the league put goalies at extra risk.
